Flagstaff DUI Lawyer

Flagstaff DUI Defense Attorney

Flagstaff, AZ has one of the highest concentrations of law enforcement personnel to citizens per capita in the State of Arizona. There has also been a considerable investment from the state and counties to increase policing for drunk driving incidents. If you’re one of the many people who has recently been charged with a DUI, a Flagstaff DUI attorney can help you face your charges.

The state of Arizona has some of the strictest alcohol-related laws and penalties for DUI charges in the nation. For this reason, if you are facing a DUI conviction, you may feel intimidated and hopeless having to go up against the Arizona legal system. Fortunately, the DUI lawyers at Glazer, Hammond & Smets, PLLC are experienced in DUI defense and can help you optimize the outcome of your case.

Many defendants of DUI cases face extreme anxiety wondering about how the charges will impact their future. For example, as a penalty, a defendant can have charges on their criminal record, large fines, loss of their driver’s license, and even jail time. A DUI attorney from our firm can inform you of your rights, lay out the criminal defense process for you, and help you determine what your next steps are.

Arizona’s Zero-Tolerance Policy Towards Drunk Driving

Arizona has some of the most intense drunk driving laws in the United States, meaning that officers will not hesitate to arrest someone who they deem to be driving recklessly or under the influence while driving.

However, when it comes to making an arrest, Flagstaff law enforcement can sometimes make mistakes. Collecting evidence of the following mistakes is a strong way to build a defense in court:

• Pulling you over without having probable cause. If you can prove that the police did not have a sound reason to pull you over in the first place, then you may be able to void all evidence that was collected during the traffic stop.
• Errors from a field sobriety test. Although they are often inaccurate and results can vary based on weather and terrain, field sobriety tests are still used by law enforcement to determine whether an individual is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The findings of the field sobriety test may be faulty, in which case, they can be called into question. Additionally, proving that the test was not administered properly can also deem the field test as unreliable evidence.
• Errors from a breathalyzer test. Breathalyzer tests are commonly used in court against DUI defendants. However, the device must be calibrated correctly in order to take accurate measurements. If the device is not calibrated correctly, then the results may be faulty and therefore not usable as evidence in court.
• Unlawfully ‘searching and seizing’ items from your vehicle. In the case that the police went through the items in your vehicle or on your person illegally and seized drugs or other illegal items. As a result, these findings will not be able to be held against you in court.

When it comes to making things right after a DUI arrest, the DUI attorneys at Glazer, Hammond & Smets, PLLC have got your back. By contacting one of our highly experienced lawyers, they can help review the legality of your arrest and the process, and question the validity of any evidence that was obtained against you.

Effective DUI/DWI Defense In Flagstaff, AZ

You are driving down the road. You had a great night out. You were with your friends and you had a couple of drinks. You think all is well, and then you see it. You hear it. Those crimson red and navy blue lights. You hear the blare of the sirens. Your stomach sinks. You pull over to the right and stop the car. You look out your rearview and side mirrors. You see the bright lights walking towards you. You wonder, did I have too many? What will happen next?

Remember to be polite and courteous to officers, but always decline consent to any searches or seizures of your person or property. When asked if you would like to answer any questions, immediately invoke your right to speak with an attorney at Glazer, Hammond & Smets, PLLC. With a proven track record of getting great results, we will fight to make sure your rights are protected with vigor and competence.

Our dedicated criminal law team understands how intimidating being arrested for a DUI can be. If you are suspected of a DUI, don’t delay in seeking legal representation to help you understand your rights under the law. A skilled attorney can work to minimize or dismiss your charges if at all possible.

While you may be panicked over facing potential jail time, large fines, community service, and the impact a criminal charge may have on your reputation and future, remember that you have protections and rights under the law. There are many minute details of your specific case that can be investigated, potentially resulting in a more favorable outcome. A compassionate but aggressive legal team can help determine if any mistakes were made in police procedure, testing protocols, and more.

Types of DUI Cases Our Attorneys Can Help With:

• Driving While Impaired (DWI)
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
• Extreme DUI
• Super Extreme DUI
• Aggravated DUI
• Drug DUI
• Underage DUI

Your Flagstaff DUI Attorney

• Premier DUI Attorneys
• 20+ years combined experience on your case
• Effective defense strategy
• Compassionate counsel
• Affordable rates and flexible appointments
• We understand facing DUI charges is scary and stressful.

Whether or not you’re familiar with the judicial system, we understand the questions that arise in DUI cases are not easy to answer on your own. A Flagstaff DUI lawyer is really the only person you can trust from the time you’re arrested until your case is concluded. Attempting to communicate with the courthouse, prosecutor, or MVD on your own can be complicated and result in conflicting information. Every DUI case is different. Having a professional examine the details of the case and work with the legal community on your behalf will help you obtain the greatest possible result.

Determining the Financial Impact of a DUI in Flagstaff

A DUI conviction is, unfortunately, quite costly. Fines, court costs, and legal fees can all have an impact on your finances, and they can quickly add up to thousands of dollars. In addition, consider the possibility of towing fees and even increased insurance costs following a conviction. Total costs can amount to a range of $7,000 to $11,000 or more for a first-time DUI, but costs for second or other subsequent DUI offenses are even higher.

A first-time DUI offense without aggravating factors can results in fines more than $1,600, as well as alcohol education classes at around $500. Not only that, but you will also be required to install an ignition interlock device on your car for approximately one year, which costs about $1,000. Remember that your license will be suspended and then need to be reinstated, which carries fees from the MVD as well.

Insurance premiums are another financial consequence of a DUI conviction. Your license will not be eligible for reinstatement until you show proof of SR-22 insurance, which usually requires payment from the driver for up to three years. In addition to this insurance, you can expect a premium hike of about $2,000 per year, lasting at least three years.

Clearly, the costs of a DUI conviction are not minimal. A breakdown of expected costs is listed below:

• Approximately $500 fine plus surcharge
• Approximately $500 prison fund assessment
• Approximately $500 public safety fund assessment
• Approximately $500 for alcohol screening/treatment classes
• Approximately $300 for one day in jail
• Approximately $1,000 for an ignition interlock device for one year
• Approximately $500 for towing and impound of your vehicle
• $10 fee for license reinstatement
• An insurance premium hike of approximately $1,000-$3,000 per year for at least three years

Facing Potential Jail Time for an AZ DUI

Jail time is mandatory under Arizona law with regard to DUI offenses. Arizona is a zero-tolerance state and treats these charges quite seriously, even for first-time offenders. However, although prosecutors often seek harsh penalties, such as jail or prison time, a dedicated DUI and criminal law attorney can advocate for reduced sentencing, which includes alternative types of sentencing, and help you seek the most minimal sentence possible.

For first-time offenders, a skilled DUI and DWI lawyer can often help you serve only one day of jail time. More serious DUI offenses could lead to longer sentencing times, but your legal team can still work tirelessly to determine the most effective ways to reduce your sentencing and help keep your future from devastating consequences.

DUI penalties typically depend on the blood alcohol content (BAC) of the person charged, this includes the mandatory minimum jail times depending upon the conviction. If a person is convicted of DUI the Slightest Degree or a “Simple” DUI (BAC of more than .08 but less than .15) a person must serve a minimum of ten (10) days jail for a first time offense. All but one (1) of those days may be suspended upon the completion of substance abuse and recommended follow up treatment. If convicted of an “Extreme” DUI (BAC of .15 or more but less than .20), a person will be required to serve thirty (30) days in jail with all but nine (9) of those days suspended upon completion of substance abuse screening and recommended follow up counseling for a first-time offense. For “Super Extreme” DUIs (BAC of .20 or greater) if someone is convicted they would be required to serve forty-five (45) days in jail with all but fourteen (14) suspended upon completion of substance abuse screening and recommended follow up counseling for a first-time offense.

For first-time offenders, your attorney could help you have the mandatory 10 days in jail reduced to only one, provided you comply thoroughly with all the terms of an alcohol screening/treatment/counseling program. Second-time offenders will face a minimum of 90 days in jail, but a seasoned DUI attorney can still explore all the options available to you, including alternative options through the court, such as:

• Treatment for drugs and alcohol
• Community service
• Home detention
• Continuous alcohol monitoring
• Work release and work furlough

Although your sentence cannot be fully composed of alternative options, especially for offenders with multiple DUI charges and/or violent criminal records, your legal team can nevertheless protect your rights under the law and seek the minimum sentencing at all costs.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a DUI Attorney Cost in Arizona?

A: An aggressive DUI attorney who will advocate tirelessly for your rights can vary in terms of cost, but the average falls within the $4,000 – $10,000 range. The costs can also depend on the type of DUI charge, such as a misdemeanor or felony DUI, whether it is your first offense, and if the case goes to trial. A criminal law team can help minimize the consequences of your DUI while ensuring you make informed decisions about legal costs.

Q: Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a DUI in Arizona?

A: A seasoned, knowledgeable DUI lawyer who understands the complexities of Arizona law can ensure your reputation, finances, quality of life, relationships, and future are impacted as little as possible by a DUI charge. They can investigate minute details that could uncover procedural mistakes and holes in the prosecutor’s case, as well as look for other effective ways to prove your legal innocence of the charge so that the impact on your future is as minimal as possible.

Q: How Do I Get Out of a DUI in AZ?

A: Arizona has strict DUI laws, but there are also ways to challenge such a charge, especially with a dedicated criminal law attorney on your side. They could argue, for example, that there was a lack of probable cause and inadmissible evidence, that the field sobriety test was inaccurate, or that the results of a Breathalyzer were ineffective. They can even uncover whether there was a Miranda rights violation. If you are concerned about the effects of a DUI charge on your future, you may have options.

Q: Is Jail Mandatory for a First DUI in Arizona?

A: A first DUI in Flagstaff and throughout Arizona comes with mandatory jail time. The law states that you will be jailed for a minimum of 10 consecutive days and fined a minimum of $1,250. It is also mandatory to undergo alcohol education, screening, and/or treatment, to perform community service, and to install a certified ignition lock device into any vehicles you drive. Second and subsequent DUI offenses come with longer jail time, larger fines, license revocation and further education, treatment, and community service.

Contact A Flagstaff DUI Lawyer To Handle Your Case Today

Glazer, Hammond & Smets, PLLC has handled thousands of DUI cases and has helped their clients through the entire case process. DUI defense attorneys, Stephen R. Glazer and Jacob R. Smets defend against a variety of charges including DUI Slightest Degree, Simple DUI (.08 or higher), Extreme DUI (.15 or higher), and Super Extreme DUI (.20 or higher), Aggravated DUI, and Underage DUI.

Our attorneys can effectively evaluate the circumstances surrounding your case to create a solid defense that will help you achieve the least severe sentence possible.

We offer case consultations to inform you of your options and put your mind at ease. Call us at (928) 985-4167 or Contact Us Here to speak with Flagstaff attorneys Stephen R. Glazer and Jacob R. Smets, today!